All 5 Uses
portentous
in
The American, by Henry James
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- Ah, if anything were to happen to her!" cried M. Nioche, clenching his two fists and jerking back his head again, portentously.†
Chpt 4
- It represented a gaunt, ascetic-looking monk, in a tattered gown and cowl, kneeling with clasped hands and pulling a portentously long face.†
Chpt 5 *
- The stillness itself seemed a trifle portentous; he reflected however that he had no right to stand listening, and he made his way back to the salon.†
Chpt 12
- She let her eyes rest on his own, and she let him take her hand; but her eyes looked like two rainy autumn moons, and her touch was portentously lifeless.†
Chpt 20
- Urbain de Bellegarde was frowning portentously, and Newman supposed he was frowning at poor Valentin's invidious image.†
Chpt 21
Definitions:
-
(1)
(portentous) very important; or indicating something important in the future -- often something that is threatening
or:
acting overly important or serious - (2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)